Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell led Europe’s defence of the Ryder Cup as the 39th tournament between the USA and Europe got underway in Medinah, Chicago.

Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell will be the first European pair out on the course at Medinah (Picture: Getty)

McIlory, 23, who won his second major by claiming last month’s PGA Championship title, was entrusted with leading the reigning champions out alongside countryman McDowell and the pair are up against Jim Furyk and Brandt Snedeker.

The decision demonstrated the regard in which the young Northern Irishman is held by his peers, with European captain Jose Maria Olazabal refusing to wrap him in cotton wool, but instead giving the world No. 1 full exposure in only his second Ryder Cup tournament.

The final two matches in the foursomes see Lee Westwood and Francesco Molinari up against Jason Dufner and Zach Johnson, while Ian Poulter and Justin Rose take on Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker.The final match-up comes with added spice as Poulter and Woods are famous old adversaries, with the world No. 2 rarely hiding his disliking of the Englishman.

Tiger Woods’ match-up against Ian Poulter will be one to watch (Picture: AFP)

Key Battle

Tiger Woods v Rory McIlroy

The Ryder Cup may be a team event but much rests on who wins the battle between these two golfing giants.

Woods has been on five losing American teams, having tasted victory just once in 1999. He also has a poor personal record in the event where, although he has only lost once in singles, he has struggled in the fourballs and foursomes.

But while he is still not back to the player he was before the implosion of his personal life in 2010, he has recovered from yet more injuries and another swing change to win three times on Tour this year and appears to have embraced the team ethos under captain Davis Love III.

Tiger Woods has won just one Ryder Cup in six attempts (Picture: Getty)

But Woods and his team will need to subdue the game’s new dominant force, Rory McIlroy, if they are to reclaim the cup. This will be no easy feat.

The 23-year-old won his second major at the US PGA last month and the world No.1 insists he has no problem being a target for the home side in what will be only his second Ryder Cup.

Fearless and virtually unbeatable when he brings his ‘A’ game, Europe will look to him to be their on-course leader.

Medinah Briefing

Tiger Woods plays his seventh Ryder Cup this week but the memory of his only Walker Cup appearance is a contrast to one of his opponents in Wales in 1995.

Woods said last week: ‘I was introduced and just got a huge ovation of boos. I’m like “oh, OK, welcome to the Walker Cup”.’

But Stephen Gallacher, who played with fellow Scot Gordon Sherry against Woods and John Harris at Porthcawl said: ‘I have absolutely no memories of anybody booing, no chance. I honestly can’t see it happening at an amateur event.’ Britain and Ireland won the match 14-10.

Peter Hanson signed a Chicago Blackhawks shirt for a young fan (Picture: Reuters)

Europe’s players continued their efforts to garner some support from the home fans, wearing caps from some of Chicago’s sports teams which they then signed and gave away to fans.

Peter Hanson also gave away a Chicago Blackhawks ice hockey jersey to a young spectator, while Paul Lawrie took one fan from the crowd onto the par three 17th to hit some putts on the green.